The New England Patriots shocked the NFL world in Week 4 by taking down the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills and their high-flying quarterback Josh Allen. For the second year in a row, the Patriots entered the Bills' pasture, this time a brand new one, and handed the Bills a loss.
Yet the most striking aspect was that the game's hero was little-used wide receiver Efton Chism III, a 2025 undrafted free agent. Mike Vrabel lauded Chism for his efforts almost immediately after the game while speaking to reporters.
Patriots HC Mike Vrabel on Efton Chism. pic.twitter.com/9gIN1PrXf8
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) October 4, 2026
Vrabel noted that the little-used Chism was ready, and he was happy to see him get results from his off-the-charts preparations. "Nobody works harder ...and it's pretty cool just seeing guys like that ... obviously stepping up in a critical situation..."
He surely did. Chism caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Drake Maye with 1:50 left in the fourth quarter, which proved to be the winner in this all-important AFC East tussle.
Efton Chism III might have a bright future with the Patriots after his Week 4 performance
It likely surprised Patriot Nation (perhaps it shouldn't have) that the little-used Chism would be the superhero in a massive away game against Buffalo. After all, Chism had only three 2026 targets before the Bills' game in the two games he dressed.
He may have even been a preseason roster cut. Thankfully, he wasn't. Against the Bills, in the team's biggest 2026 tilt thus far, he totally flipped the script.
Though he had only four targets against Buffalo, he caught two from Maye for 42 yards, including the all-important go-ahead and ultimately game-winning touchdown pass with 1:50 left on the clock. And that's not even the whole story.
It wasn't just making the catch in the end zone, it was how he did so. He made a one-handed catch and held on for the biggest catch of his just-beginning and hopefully emerging NFL career.
CHIZZZZZ @EftonChism
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 4, 2026
📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/FPb2kg9mqi
Chism being buried on the bench for all of 2025 and the first few games this season was a mistake by whoever on the offensive coaching staff makes those decisions.
The only impediment to his achieving similar feats in the past is the lack of opportunities provided by the offensive coaching staff led by Josh McDaniels.
Hopefully, Chism's heroics against the Bills will open the floodgates, and land him a more substantial role in the Patriots' offense, both this season and in the future. If they don't, Mike Vrabel needs to make changes to ensure they do.
He is an emerging future star Patriots slot receiver. It's high time the team realized it themselves.
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